EDITORS’ PICKS

Auctioneer

George Cole Auctions & RealtyRed Hook
It’s going for $10… can I get $20? Sold! For more than 30 years, George Cole has been the Valley’s leading name in auctions. Adroit auctioneers can entice attendees to bid on anything from antiques to artwork to automobiles. They even specialize in real estate. If you can’t make it to their site, there’s an option to sell your belongings online. And if you’re too attached to a family heirloom to part with it — but are itching to know its value — the company also does appraisals. 845-758-9114; www.georgecoleauctions.com

Beer Superstore

Half Time BeveragePoughkeepsie
With more than 2,000 varieties of beer and cider packing its shelves, Half Time is a brew-lover’s paradise. Shopping here is easy: Buy your suds by the case, fill a six-pack with a half-dozen different craft beers, or opt for a growler of whatever is on tap when you visit. And its six different beer clubs — along with 40 unique beer gift baskets, which Half Time will gladly ship to 21 states — make gift-giving to your hop-happy friends easy. 845-462-5400; www.halftimebeverage.com

Liquor Store

Viscount Wines & LiquorWappingers Falls
Is your neighborhood wine and liquor store not cutting it? Here’s a nudge in the right direction. This 40-year-old Valley staple was recognized nationally as one of America’s best wine and liquor stores, and received Market Watch’s Community Service Award for raising and donating millions of dollars to the community. There are 12,000+ items, and a staff that has more than 125 years of combined experience. Need we say more? 845-298-0555; www.viscountwines.com

New Cheese Shop

Bimi’s Cheese ShopChatham
This charming shop, featuring an astounding selection of domestic, local, and international cheeses, has been drawing raves ever since it opened a little more than a year ago. Owned by two couples — Brooklyn restaurateurs Laura and David Shea, and Ellen Waggett and her husband, Chris Landy, who are production and lighting designers, respectively — it is the perfect mingling of food and design. (Ellen’s mother is the namesake of the shop, in case you’re wondering.) Sure, there’s some usual suspects like aged Parmigiano-Reggiano, but you’ll also encounter hard-to-find cheeses like Challerhocker (HOL-ler-HOCK-er) from Switzerland and Goat Gouda Gris (gree) from Holland. Sidle up to the Grilled Cheese Bar, where the selection is ever-changing; the menu is based on what’s fresh and exciting. “We make our own mozzarella and rarely have leftovers, but when we do, that will be a featured sandwich,” says Laura, whose mother is the namesake of the shop. “The only staple is ‘The Original,’ cheddar on rye — just the way Bimi herself used to make it when we were kids!” 518-392-8811; www.bimischeese.com

Place to Buy Bracelets

De’S JewelersPoughkeepsie
More versatile than rings but just as meaningful, bracelets are the storytellers of the jewelry world. And there’s a veritable smorgasbord of designs to choose from at this second-generation family-run business founded by two World War II veterans in 1946. Diamond add-a-links are top sellers. “It’s a wonderful concept because if someone wants to give a beautiful, art-quality diamond bracelet, they can give it a little at a time,” says Linda Santopadre-Corliss, daughter of one of the original owners. Yellow gold one-link tennis bracelets start at about $295. Or consider the comparably priced Victorian-style slide bracelets with gold or more affordable sterling chains: Encrusted with romantic sounding stones like pink tourmaline, they have a chic but retro grandma look, and they’re engraveable, too. More clean and modern looking, easy-on-and-off cuff bracelets feature ends that you can customize with screw-on semi-precious stones (they’ll run you about $450). When you’re going formal, consider Italian-made sterling designs with a wash of platinum and faux diamonds for a luxe look ($90). For everyday, you can’t go wrong with the Chrysalis line of the Swarovski stones. These stackable designs are available not only as birthstones, but also as birth flower charms. And here’s the kicker: They start at $29. 845-452-0026; www.desjewelers.com

Place to Buy Engagement Rings

Zimmer BrothersPoughkeepsie
A Valley mainstay since 1893, Zimmer Brothers is the go-to place for engagement rings. Why? Not only do the folks here know their stuff (they're well versed in the "4 C's,"), the shop also offers a wide variety of designs in an equally wide range of price points. In addition to carrying premium brands like Forevermark Diamonds, Hearts on Fire, Ideal Square, and Lazare, Zimmer Brothers stocks more than 50 of its own unique engagement ring and wedding-band designs. It’s hard to say no to these gems. 845-454-6360; www.zimmerbrothers.com

Al Daniels of Half Time Beverage, this year’s pick for “Best Beer Superstore”

Photograph by Michael Polito

Place to Buy Hardware

H.G. Page & SonsPoughkeepsie
For 90 years, do-it-yourselfers and professional contractors alike have found everything they need at this home-improvement and hardware superstore. Specialty hardware products are just one of its areas of expertise. Looking for decorative drawer pulls from Baldwin? A Schlage deadbolt lock? They’ve got 'em here — along with the hand and power tools you’ll need to install them. 845-452-7130; www.pagehomecenter.com

Place to Buy Lumber

Williams Lumber & Home CentersMultiple locations
This family-owned business has been providing the highest quality lumber products for almost 70 years; no wonder Williams is the ultimate go-to-destination for both professionals and do-it-yourselfers. With eight locations around the region, you’ll want to stop by one before you begin your next project. www.williamslumber.com

Place to Buy a Tractor

Pine Bush Equipment Co., Inc.Multiple locations
Big-boy toys are the stock and trade of this highly respected company. So whether you need to buy or rent a tractor — or any other heavy-duty machine — the helpful authorities at PBE are committed to excellent customer service and will take the fear (and stress) out of getting you the right equipment. 845-524-0966; www.pbeinc.com

Plumbing Supplies

N&S SupplyKingston
When it comes to faucets and fixtures, style is important — but quality is key. Good thing this longtime Valley business, which has four state-of-the-art showrooms and eight locations, carries an extensive inventory of top-notch plumbing essentials. Bonus: It also specializes in heating supplies and stocks a wide variety of eco-friendly products. 845-331-6700; www.nssupply.com

Tile Shop

Terra Tile & MarbleFishkill
Visit this Fishkill showroom and you’ll see your home in a whole new light. Owned by Manuel Gasch, a native of Spain, where tile work rules design and architecture, the showroom has a European sensibility. Let Terra reimagine your kitchen by using tile on walls — not just the backsplash. Maybe a shimmery stainless steel? Think metallic glass or subway tiles for bath and natural limestone for your floors, customized to your space (and budget). “You don’t have to spend a gazillion dollars to make a room look nice,” says design consultant Sandi Schurick. “In a bathroom, you could start with your basic tile, and the trim pieces are how you make it look special.” 845-298-7737; www.terratileandmarble.com

Sweet treats from the Pastry Garden, this year’s pick for “Best Bakery”